There’s a reason why air seems drier in the winter than when it’s hotter. That’s since warmer air carries more moisture, or humidity, than colder air.
The same is true within your Fort Myers residence. Using your gas furnace makes your house feel warmer but can also dry out the indoor air. Dry air can carry a whole host of ailments, including dry skin, cracked lips and make you more likely to get sick.
Here’s why your gas furnace dries out your home’s air and what you can do to counter it.
Your Furnace’s Combustion Procedures are Part of the Trouble
The fuel your furnace needs isn’t the thing responsible for making your house’s air appear dry. Rather, it’s the way it combusts.
There are two different styles of gas furnaces, standard and high efficiency. With an older standard furnace, you can see light from the burners when it’s heating. A newer, high-efficiency furnace is entirely sealed.
A standard furnace, also known as an atmosphere furnace, takes air from inside your home to work. Because the furnace continuously depends on air to burn, it will also use cold, dry air from outdoors, which in turn reduces your house’s humidity.
High-efficiency furnaces, also called a sealed combustion furnace, are used for keeping your humidity even. They draw all their combustion air from outdoors, but it stays contained in the sealed furnace. As an additional advantage, they keep your house more cozy while needing less energy. Upgrading to an ENERGY STAR® furnace from an old furnace might save you as much as 40% on heating costs, according to Lennox®.
Other than combustion, cold air also naturally seeps into your residence during colder weather. Decreased humidity means the air will snatch moisture rapidly from your skin, lips, nose and throat. It also causes static electricity.
How to Even Out Humidity in Your Residence
Using a humidifier. While a portable humidifier can only make one room pleasant at a time, a whole-house humidifier will spread that comfort around your home.
These are just a couple humidifier benefits you’ll acquire when you install a whole-home system.
Improved Health During Cold and Flu Season
It’s no surprise cooler weather is the worst time for colds, flu and other sicknesses. That’s since you’re more susceptible to become sick when your nose and throat are dry. Under specific airflow conditions, air at the right humidity level can also resist the spread of some viruses. In addition, it can combat year-round allergy symptoms.
Relief from Dry Skin
If you have consistent dry skin or eczema, you know just how aggravating those conditions are during winter. Installing a whole-house humidifier will help your skin retain more moisture.
Enhanced Sleep
Keeping your bedroom at the ideal temperature and humidity level will keep you more comfortable at night. It can also help with loud snoring, since your throat and nose will be better hydrated.
Defends the Wood in Your Residence
Cabinets, flooring, furniture and just about anything in your home that’s wood is affected when humidity is too low. This is because of the fact dry air moves moisture from the wood and causes it to fracture. Balancing your residence’s humidity at the right level will keep your house’s furnishings looking their best.
Little Maintenance Required
Between consistent filter changes and continual refilling, portable humidifiers demand a lot of upkeep. A whole-house humidifier only needs servicing about once a year, which can be completed in tandem with your furnace tune-up.
A steam humidifier has the smallest amount of maintenance since it doesn’t require a pad. It holds water in a canister and boils it into steam that gets transported through your ductwork. Since it’s independently powered, it can work when the furnace is off.
Book Your Free Home Comfort Consultation Now
If your house’s air feels less than comfortable during the winter, Service Experts Heating & Air Conditioning can help. Call us at 239-908-6991 to arrange a free home comfort consultation. There’s no pressure, just free Expert advice on how you can maintain your residence’s humidity at just the proper level. And, like our other services, our work is backed by our famous 100% Satisfaction Guarantee for one year.*
*Not applicable to the Advantage Program. See your signed Advantage Program Agreement for full details and exclusions. 100% Satisfaction Guarantee is subject to certain restrictions and limitations as set forth in the applicable Terms and Conditions.